Locking device for lubricating cups



H. BATCHELOR.

LOCKING DEV'ICE FOR LUBRICATING CUPS.

APPLICATION man MAR. v1.5. 1920.

1,412,993, Paf/ema Apr. 18, 1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET'I.

TTU/NVE Y H. BATCHELOR.

LOCKING DEVICE FOR LUBRICATING CUPS.

APMM-:Arlon FILED MAR. 1.5. 1920.

1,412,993. Patented Api. 18, 1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

/1 TTORNE Y narran i sre'ies earner orales.

' HAROLD BATCHELOR, GF JERSEY CITY, NEW EFL-BEY, ASSIG'NOR `0F ONE-HALF TO HARRY C. ABELL, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

LOCKING :DEVICE FOR LUBRICATING CUPS.v

To allwhom t may concer/n.' n

Be itknown that l, HAROLD BAroHnLoR, a resident ol Jersey City, in the county ot Hudson and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Locking Devices for Lubricating Cups,

` of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in locking devices, and appertains more especially to the combination of such a device with the fixed or base member of a lubricating cup for locking .a threadingly engaged cap member therewith.

One of the objectsot'the invention is'to provide an improved construction in which the cap member of the lubricating cup may be turned to any desired position of adjustment on the iixed member, while it is frictionallyv held against reverse turning and readily admits of further rotation in the original direction.

Another object of the invention is the provision 01"' a locking device of the character described which will resist reverse turning ofthe cap member up to the application or exertion thereon of a certain force, beyond which the locking device will reverse its action, Vand thereafter resist rotation ot the cap'in the direction it was originally turned.

A further object is to produce a construction in which the locking device may be carried `entirely by the fixed member of the lubricating cup, and wherein the said device acts directly against the cap or rotatable member without requiring any complementary elements therebetween.

Still another object is the production 'of a simple, inexpensive and durable locking device,'not liableto get outl ot order, and inconspicuous, besides being applicable to existing types offlubricating cups with a minimum of cost and effort and requiring only minor or no `alterations therein.

still further .object is to procure a; construction oi the kind reterredto wherein the csp member ot the lubricating cup will constitute a protection tor the locking device against tampering` as well as shield it from iniury.

-Other objects andadva-ntages ot the invention will become apparent as the speciication proceeds.

Withv the aforesaid objects in view, the invention consists of the novel combinations and. Yarrangernents of parts hereinafter de- Speccation of Letters Patent. Patr-)intend Api. 18, lgZZf.

Application filed. March 15, 1920. Serial No. 365,960.

scribed in their preferred embodiments, pointed out in the subjoined claims, and illustrated on the annexed drawings, Wherein like parts are designated by the same reference characters throughout the several views.

ln the said drawings r-f Figure I is .a top plan view o'l the fixed member of one type of lubricating cup, showing the application thereto of a `cer tain species of: the invention;

Fig. H is a vertical section on the line llll of Fig. l looking upwardly in the direction indicated by the arrows pertaining to the said line, the cap member of the cup being shown in position;

Fig. lll is la longitudinal section on the line III-lll of Fig. l Viewed inthe direction pointed out by the arrows appertairr ing to' the line mentioned;

Fig. lV is a 'fragmentary sectional elevation of the same type of lubricating cup as before mentioned showing the application thereto o1"- another species of the invention;

Fig. V is a perspective view of a detail pertaining to the next preceding figure.

Fig. Vl isa top plan view of a third species of the invention applied to another type of lubricating cup;

Fig. VII is a verticalsection on the line Vll-Vll of Fig. Vl looking up in the direction of the arrows pertaining .lo the said line, the cap member of the cup being shown in position; f r Fig. VIII is an underside plan view of a modiiied detail detached from Fig. VH;

' Fig. IX is a section on the line lX-lX of Fig. VIH looking in the direction pointedV out by the arrows appertaining to the line named;

Fig. X. is an elevation taken hand side of Fig'. VIH;

Fig. Xl is a top plan view of the fixed member of' a third type of lubricating cup with which a 'fourth species of theY invention is embodied;

Fig. XH is a vertical section on the line XII-XH of Xl looking upwardly in the direction of the arrows pertaining to theA said line. the cap member of the cup being shown also;

Fig. Xlll'isa longitudinal section on the line XMI-XIII of Fig. XI viewed in the direction pointed out by the arrows appertaining to the lille last named;

Yfrom the right with which a sixth species of the invention y attachment thereto.

is incorporated;

Fig. XVII is avertical section on the line XVII-XVII of Fig. XV looking -up in the diiection pointed out by the arrows appertaining to the said line, the cap member of the cup being shown in position;

Fig. XVHI is a top plan view of the fixed -member of a sixth type of lubricating cup to which a seventh species of the invention is shown applied; and y Fig. XlX is a vertical section on the line XIX-XIX of Fig. XVIH looking upwardly inthe direction indicated by the arrows pertaining to the line named, the cap member of the cup being shown in place.

Briefly described; the invention comprises a locking element that is preferably carried by the lixed or base member of alubricating cup; and which is whollypoi` iii part located within the members of the latten rlhe locking element is composed of resilient material and comprises a stem which is mounted in a socket or guide in the fixed member, or an rlhis stem has a finger thereon which is adapted to extend into contact with internal threads ofthe cap which screws onto the fixed member. 'lhe said stem is adapted to oseillate to a limited extent in its socket. Then the end of the linger thereon describes an are and extends somewhat beyond the periphery of the fixed member. Means are provided for predeterminingv the movement of the stem in its socket in such a manner that lthe end of the finger is conned to its arc of movement which lies beyond the periphery of said iixed member vand between the points ofintersection of said arc with said periphery. The said linger therefore contacts with ther said cap when it is screwed into place and acts a friction pawl, allowing the cap to be easily moved in one direction, but swinging toward the highest part of its arc when the cap is turned in the opposite direction, hence opposing and normally preventing'backward rotation of said cap. Themeans for limiting the oscillatory movement of the stein is conveniently an arm moving between two stops or abutments on the iixed member. The construction and arrangement ofthe locking element is preferably suoli that a strong intentional twisting`r forceapplied to the cap will cause the locking" element to of the finger 8 slightlyv exceeds the distanceise yield and tui'ii'through its arc, whereupon it will act to check turning of the cap in a direction reverse to that yin which it prevv viously opposed rotation of the latter.

than the whole. 7

It will be obvious to those skilled inthe art to whichthe invention appertains, upon becoming conversant with the details there of, that the same may be incorporated in several different constructions. The accompanying drawings, therefore; are .submitted merely as showing the preferred exemplications of the invention. Y

Referring to Figures l to lll inclusive, there is shown a conventional type of lubricating cup, the cylindrical portion of the fixed orbase member ofwhich is designated by the reference letter a; while Z2 denotes exterior screw threads on'the latter. The said portion a is joined by a tapering'part c with a polygonal extension Z to which a wrench may be-applied when the threaded part e of the extension is screwed'into or out of a` threaded seat or orifice. A capor rotatable member f of thelubricating cup, having internal screw threads g on the cylindrical wall 7L.l thereof, is adapted to engage the external `threads upon the fixed. 1

member and close the same.

To the inner face of the last mentioned member a is attached, as by means of solder l; a `sleeve or soclret-piece 2, of cylindrical or any other desired forni. OneV end of the sleeve 2; shown as the lower end in the construction illustrated in Figures I; Il and lll; 1

the upper end in Figures l; H and lll, `is bent or offset toward the circumference of n the fixed member and constitutes a iin-ger or pawl 8 which reaches to a `greateror less extent beyond the periphery of'V the said cylindrical portion a; depending on the angu- 120 lar position of the stem within its are of 1 oscillation, and is adapted to-beai againstV the sides ofthe threads g iii the capV f. When the finger 8 occupies a position coinciding with a radial line passing from the centre of the lubricatingcup to its periphery, the outer extremity of the said finger extends beyond the periphery of the portion Vai, a certain amount; or in Vother words.. the length between the bore 4 and the periphery of the said portion a, and hence its outer end swings in an arc extending beyond the said periphery.

In order to limit the turning movement of the stem 7 in its socket or guide 2, the said` stem is offset at its lower extremity, as indicated at 9v in the construction shown by Figures I, Il and III. This offset constitutes an arm which preferably projects in a direction opposite to that of the finger 8; that is, it is made to point toward the interior of the lubricating cup. The arm 9 projects through the slot 3, and the oppositeA sides thereof form abutments or stops for limiting its swinging movement and consequently predetermines thel oscillation of the stem 7 and the therewith connected finger 8. The extreme limits of movement of the finger 8 are indicated by the dot-and-dash lines SrL-8y (Fig. I). Fiven in its extreme positions the outer point of the said 'linger is always held in contact with the interior of the cap f Assuming the finger 8 to be in the position SY, the cap f may be screwed onto the iiXed member. in a clockwise direction without its rotation being opposed by the finger 8, inasmuch as thev pressure of the sides of the cap will be in a direction to turn the end of the said linger slightlytowards the interior of the fixed member, and thersides of the cap will simply slide over the fingers free terminal. if however, the cap be turned in a counter-clockwise direction, the frictional `contact of the end of the linger 8 with the sides of the cap will induce the latter to move the finger around its pivotal axis in a direction to cause it to extend beyond the. periphery of the fixed member, and hence effect a biting or binding action of the linger against the inner face of the cap and thus prevent its reverse rotation.l Notwithstanding that the semi-resilient linger 8 preferably is such as to resist` incidental forces tending to unscrew the cap, still its resistance may be overcome by an intentional major twisting effort in a direction to reverse the turning of the cap to unscrew it. The end of the finger will then oscillate through its vfull arcof movement and thereafter lie lat the extreme position 8X. The cap member may then be unscrewed,

'as the pressure of the cap on the end of the linger will again swin it inwardl or towards the interior of the fixed member, because the inner side of the cap is now in a position to slide easily over the end of the said finger 8.

By reason of the fact that'the length of the finger 8 is greater than the distancek from the centre of the socket 4 to the periphery of the fixed member a, it follows that this nger must be forced slightly backwardly, or towards the interior ofthe said 'n tion of the stem with the finger, but the fiexure of the resilient material from which these parts are made takes care of the bending and twisting strains that the elements 7, 8 and 9 are subjected to.

vAlthough the sleeve or socketL 2. is described as being soldered to the iXed or base member' a, it is obvious that it could as well be an integral part of the latter.

A modification of' the construction shown inthe preceding figures, is illustrated in Figures IV and V. In the same, 2a designates the guiding socket or sleeve for the locking element which socket is conveniently pressed from sheet metal, and provided with a slot 3a preferably formed between two ears l2, 13, bent outwardly from the meeting` edges of the sleeve.

In this modification, the said sleeve 2 is attached to the iiXed member in such a manner that the slot 3 is located at the upper or open end thereof. rThe locking element may in the present instance bc made of half round stock and have its stem bent in the middle and its ends brought close together so as to be located both at the same end of the said stem. One lof the ends thereof forms the finger 8a whichis bent outwardly in one direction while the other end constitutes the arm 9a that is offset oppositely, towards the interior of the base a. The linger 8a projects beyond the periphery of the latter and acts upon the cap member in the samemanner asl picted in Figures Vl and VII. In the conj trivance here shown, the locking element is carried by a frame 2b which is set into the fixed member 0,2 without requiringV any special means for holding` it in place. The said frame 2b is conveniently made of a strip of metal formed into a substantially ishaped structure, the strip being bent in the middle, as indica-ted at l5, and brought togetherfor a portion of its length, thereby producing one part of the Y, the other two portions of the'latter being formed' by the diverging terminals of the strip marked 18 and 19. The last named portions are resilientv and arranged tov press outwardly against the inner walls of the ixed member a2 to hold the frame in place therein.,l rlfwo opposite bends or swells 16, 17 are produced `the cap member,

in the two adjacent portions of the strip, and form between them a guide in which the stem T of the locking element is oscillatably held. This stem has one end turned outwardly to constitute a linger pawl 8b which is adapted to engage the inner side g2 of the cap member f2 in order to prevent reverse turning thereof, inthe same manner as the hereinbefore described locking element shown by Figures H and III. Similarly, the finger b permits reverse rotation of the cap f2 when the same is intentionally turned with suflicient force to cause the said finger to yield and reverse its position with relation to the cap. The stem 7b also has an arm 9b projecting from its other end toward the interior the fixed member, and this arm has an upstanding part 2O approximately parallel with the said stein, which part entends upwardly between the arms 18, 19 and is adapted to strike against the latter in order lto limit the oscillation of the stem 7b and the linger 8b thereon.

A modified form of the invention described with reference to the views last named, is shown inFigures VH, X and X. In these figures, 2C denotes the supporting frame for the locking element. The guide for receiving the stem 7? of the latter is formed directly at the bend in the strip of metal from which this frame is made. rlhe said stem 7c is provided with a finger or pawl SC which acts against the inner part of the cap member in a manner corresponding to the previous construction. tion of the stem 7* is here limited however, Yby a fiat faced lug 22 with which the corners of the flattened end 9C of the said stem are adapted to come into contact. Y

A third species of the invention is exemplified in Figures XI, XH and Kill. The lubricatingv vcup here represented is of a heavy type used on rough machinery. rlhe fixed member of the cup has a shallow recess in its upper face, designated by the reference letterh, which recess is formed by an annular portion j forming the rim or upper part of the cup. rlhe said recess 7L has ar gap i passing across the said annular portion to the periphery ofthe fixed member. The op`- positevends of the portion j facing the gap v1 constitute abutments which serve to limit the oscillatory movement'of the afm 9d per-V taining tothe stem 7d of the locking element. Thesaid stemv 71y is guided in an opening ed extending through the said fixed member of the cup. The exterior end of the stem 7d is provided with a finger or pawl 8d, adapted to bear against the inner threaded face g4' yof the cap ymember f4 of the cup and oppose unscrewing thereof, in the same manner as thecorresponding parts of the previously described constructions. Moreover, by intentionally exerting a strong turning force on the resistance of the finger lThe oscilla-l retenes 8d may be overcome, and the said finger caused to reverse its position and it-s action, as heretofore explained.r n l A fourthspecies of the invention is represented in Figures XIV and XV. As herein shown the stem. 7e of the locking element is guided by an opening formed in the thick portion Z of the fixed member of the cup.A The said stem 7 has a finger or pawl '8e adapted to press against the inner threaded face g5 yof the cap f5 and oppose unscrewing thereof, as heretofore explained in conjunction 1. with the corresponding partsin the previously described species. rEhe action of the finger 8 may also be reversed as hereinbefore related. ln this construction the oscillation of the stem 7e and the therewith connected finger 8e, is limited by the arm 9B bent inwardly from the stem and having a downturned part 20e which projects into a neck or extension (Z5 of the fixed member of the cup, rlhe walls of the said neck (Z5, on opposite sides act as stops against the swinging movement of the said part 20e on the arm 9e.

A fifth species of the invention is yshown in Figures XVI and XVH. Here. the fixed member of the lubricating cup has a flared or conical interior h6. VAs in preceding spe-V cies, the stem 7 of the locking element'is guided in an opening in the said fixed offset towards the exterior of the cup to formi a finger or pawl 8f adapted to engage the inner face of the cap member f. The opposite end 9f of the stem 7 is bent inmembeiy and one end of the said stem is teriorly of the cup and also downward to i substantially the contour of the inside wall or face of the fixed member. As the locking element oscillates to one side or the other, the movement of the arm 9t will be arrested by striking against opposite parts of the wail its, and hence the same will limit the rocking movement of the stein and the linger or pawl 8f thereon. The action of this locking element is similar to that of the corresponding elements in the preceding constructions.

A sixth species of the invention is illus-` trated in Figures-XVHI and XIX. InV this construction the stem 7g, of the locking element extends through and turns in a hole in the fixed member of the lubricating cup. As before, one end of th is stem 1s bent outward to form a fingeror pawl 8g adapted Y to engage the inner face g7 of thecap member f7 in the manner and with the effect described with relation to the correspondingpart in the other species. With the opposite endV of the said stem is formed the arm 9g which is lengthened towards the interior of the fixed member by a spring 25 which is preferably of the helical type and one terminalY whereof is slipped'over the end Vof the` saidarm Las shown. The other or free @ncl ofv this spring iS. received. a Vehaped crotch m formed in a projection n upon the face of the said fixed member of the cup. When the finger or pawl is turned, this causes the spring 25 to be flexed, and the latter therefore opposes to thelimit of its strength beyond the free swing thereof, the turning or oscillatory movement of stem 7g and finger 8g thereon.

It will be noticed that in the types of lubricating cups represented by Figures 1 to V11 inclusive, the exteriorly directed finger of the locking element is located inside of both members of the cup, while in the styles of cups illustrated by Figures Xl to XIX the said thread engaging finger is disposed on the outside of the fixed members. A

.llVhile certain preferred embodiments of this device have been shown and described, it will be understood that changes in the form, arrangements, proportions, sizes and details thereof may be made, without departing from the scope of 'the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Having described my invention what 1 desire to secure by Letters Patent and claim, 1s:-

1. A lubricating cup or the like compris-` ing a fixed or base member, a cap member threadingly engaging the same, means for opposing rotation of said cap relatively to said fixed member carried thereby, said means consisting of a locking element havingan oscillatable stem with a finger extending therefrom, the said stem being disposed in offset relation substantially parallel to the axes of the said members with the said linger projecting at approximately right angles thereto, the end of said finger being capable of frictionally pressing against the inner face of the cap, and other means for limiting oscillationl of said stem, the construction and arrangement being such that turning in one direction allows the cap to slide over the finger, while turning in the opposite direction causes the latter to bite or bind against said inner faces, thereby preventing accidental reverse rotation of the cap.

2. A lubricating cup or the like comprising a fixed or base member, a cap having screw-threaded engagement therewith, reversible means for opposing rotation of said cap relatively to said fixed member, said means consisting of a locking element including an oscillatable stem 'with a finger projecting therefrom, the said stem being disposed in offset relation substantially parallel to the axes of the said members with the said finger projecting at approximately right angles thereto, the free end of said finger being capable of swinging in an arc outwardly beyond the periphery of the fixed member and frictionally pressing against the inner face of said cap, so that turning in one direction carries the finger toward the interior of the members and allows the cap to slide over the same, but turning in the opposite direction causes the 'finger to bite or bind against said inner face of the cap, thereby stopping accidental reverse rotation of the latter', while further intentional movement in the last named direction tends to bring the endof the finger past its outmostposition beyond said periphery, whereby it is reversed and enabled to either allow or oppose rotation of the cap depending upon which way it is turned, and means for limiting the oscillation of said stem.

' 3. i lubricating cup or the like comprising a fixed or base member, a capmember threadingly engaging the same, means for opposing rotation of said cap relatively to said fixed membery carried thereby, said means consisting of a locking element having an oscillatable stem with a finger extending therefrom, the said stem being disposed in offset relation substantially parallel to the axes of the said members with the said finger projecting at approximately right angles thereto, the end of said finger being cap able of frictionally pressing; against the inner face of the cap, and other means for limiting oscillation of said stem, said limiting means consisting of an arm on the stem and abutments on either side of said arm against which it is adapted to contact.

4. A lubricating cup or the like comprising a fixed or base member, a cap member threadingly engaging the same, means for opposing rotation of said cap relatively to said fixed member carried thereby, said means consisting of a locking element having an oscillatable stem with a finger extending therefrom, the said stem being disposed in offset relation substantially parallel to the axes of the said members with the said finger projecting at approximately right angles thereto, the end of said finger being capable offrictionally pressing against the inner face of the cap, means for limiting oscillation of said stem, and a socket supporting the same in proximity to the edge of the fixed member.

5. A. lubricating cup or the like comprising a fixed or base member,'a cap member threadingly engaging the same, means for opposing rotation of said cap relatively to said fixed member carried thereby, said means consisting of a locking element having an oscillatable stem with a finger ex-` tending therefrom, the said stem being disposed in offset relation substantially parallel to the axes of the said members with the said finger projecting at approximately right angles thereto, the end of said finger being cap able of frictionally pressing against the inner face of the cap, an arm on said stem, a guide socket supporting the same and having spaced portions adapted to limit the oscillatory movement of said arm and the therewith connected element.

6. A lubricating cup or the like comprising a fixed or base member, a cap member threadingly engaging the same, means for opposing rotation of said cap relatively to said fixed member carried thereby, said means consisting of a loc-king element having an oscillatable stem with a finger extending therefrom, the said stem being disposed in offset relation substantially parallel to the axes of the said members with the said finger projecting` at approximately right angles thereto, the end of said finger being capable of frietionally pressing against the inner face of the cap, and other means for limiting oscillation of said stem, said limiting means including an arm, said arm and the finger being formed by offsetting the ends of the stem.

7. A lubricating cup or the like comprising a fixed or base member, a cap member threadingly engaging Ithe same, means for opposing rotation of said eap relatively to said fixed member carried thereby, said means consisting of a locking element having an oscillatable stem With a finger ex-l tending therefrom, the said stem being disposed in offset relation substantially parallel to the axes of the said members with the said finger projecting at approximately right angles thereto, the end of said finger being capable of frictionally pressing against the inner face of 'the cap, a frame for supporting said looking element set Within the fixed member, said frame having a guide for said stem, and means for limiting oscillatory movement thereof With relation to the frame.

.tending therefrom, the said stem being disposed in offset relation substantially par allel to the axes of the said members With the said finger projecting at approximately right angles thereto, the end of said finger being capableof frictionally pressing against the inner face of the cap, a frame set Within the fixed member supporting said stem, one Y end thereof constituting a contact portion,V

and a stop on said frame against which said portion is adapted to abut in limiting the oscillation of the locking element.

9. A lubricating cup or the likeV comprising a fixed or base member, avcap member threadingly engaging the same, meansfor opposing rotation of said cap relatively to said fixed member carried thereby, said means consisting of a locking element having an oscillatable stem with a finger ex? tending therefrom, the said stem being disposed in offset relation substantially parallel to the axes of the said members with the said finger projecting at approximately right angles thereto, the end of said finger being capable of friotionally pressing" against the inner face of the cap, and other means for limiting oscillation of said stem, said limiting means including an arm on the stem having a bent part at its end.

HAROLD BATCHELOR.

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